The sergeant guarding the gates opened the gates as soon as they saw the prospective knights holding the duke's heraldic banner at the front of the procession. By the time the procession entered the castle over the stone bridge, Isabel was already standing in the square with the Duke of Richmond's retainers ready to welcome the Duchess.

When the duke, who was walking on the side of the carriage on horseback, saw Isabel standing in the square, his expression was a little complicated, and he kept staring at those beautiful eyes and didn't know what to say. The carriage stopped in the square at the shouting of the coachman, and the two valets were the first to get out of the carriage, and after opening the door for the Duchess, Mary slowly stepped out of the carriage with the horn of her skirt.

Isabel first came to the Duke of Richmond, who jumped off the horse, and then walked up to the Duchess Mary, smiling: "Good day, Duchess." ”

Mary Fitzroy looked at Isabel, who had barely changed, and nodded slightly: "Good day, Lady Isabel." ”

Afterwards, all the retainers and stewards saluted Mary one after another. Looking at the neat and clean interior of the castle and the equally well-dressed retainers, the Duchess looked very happy, and stood reserved waiting for her husband to enter the main building of the castle with her.

Henry and Mary entered the main building, surrounded by retainers. When the two of them came to the living room again, they sat down on the two main chairs that had been placed. The Duke stood up and looked at the dozen or so retainers and Isabel standing in front of him: "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe you already know the news that my wife is coming to the North. Right now... I declare that during my absence from Nottingham Castle will be ...... by my wife"

As soon as the Duke spoke, Mary, who was sitting on one side, glanced at the crowd present and whispered, "Henry, please wait first." ”

Henry wanted to reprimand her, but when he saw Mary's expression, he didn't say anything more. Mary, with her husband's permission, stood up and smiled, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the responsibilities and oversight of my husband's domain that I have come to my lord's territory today can be discussed tomorrow." So, please relax. ”

The retainers just nodded their heads, and the Duke looked at the overseer of the territory standing on the side: "Miss Isabel, there is nothing in the territory that can worry me during the Ascension Day, right?" ”

Isabel just nodded formally, "Yes, Your Highness."

Mary, who sat on Henry's left back, watched the expressions of the two, and she felt that nothing could be seen from Isabel's face. However, when she looked at her husband Henry, she found that his eyes and expression looked a little lost and a little sad.

Before dinner, led by Isabel, Mary took two valet to the room she had prepared for herself on the top floor of the main building. Looking at the surrogate beside him: "Miss Isabel, you are doing a good job. ”

Isabel nodded, "Thank you Madame for the compliment, I have asked the servant to carry your luggage to the room for you." ”

Later, as Isabel left the Duchess's room, Mary stopped her: "Miss Isabel, I have just arrived in His Highness's domain, and I have something to talk to you about overseeing the affairs of the domain. ”

"Yes, ma'am."

Mary glanced at the maid who was packing her clothes, "All right, you go out first, I want to say a few words to Miss Isabel." ”

After the maid left, Mary, who slowly walked to the window of the room, turned around and looked at the other party and smiled: "I know that in terms of legal power, I should perform the duties of a lady when I come to His Highness's territory......"

Seeing her like this, Isabel smiled lightly: "Madam, just say whatever you want to say." ”

"Well, in fact, I have not come to the north this time, as you and your retainers think, to exercise the rights of the duchess. I was just... You know that Your Highness met with me during the festival......"

"Ma'am, I understand. Do you want to say that you don't plan to stay in His Highness's territory this time? ”

"Let's just put it that way."

"So, you came to Your Highness's territory just for a tour?"

Mary chuckled, "Cruise? Miss, I am not His Majesty's intention to tour the realms of the Kingdom. ”

Isabel walked to Mary a step or two away with her hands behind her back, "I'm sorry, ma'am. As I said earlier, you can say whatever you want, and don't worry about anything else. ”

Mary looked at each other's eyes, pondered deeply, and said slowly: "Actually, His Highness wants a male heir. And because His Highness did not want to live with me in my father's castle, I could only follow His Highness to the north. ”

Isabel walked to Mary's right and nodded to her, "I know what His Highness thinks. You are trying to tell me that you came to the North only to prepare for the conceiving of Your Highness's child. On the other hand, you don't want to exercise the legal rights of a duchess or you just want to come and see me. ”

"Isabel, you are a very good, intelligent young woman. Your Highness can make you the custodian of the territory, and I think Your Highness has made the right decision. ”

"Thank you for the compliment."

"When I made the decision to go north in my father's castle, there was strong opposition. Because other people think that the north is restless and cannot fill my life with peace. ”

Isabel guessed what she meant and nodded, "Well, you didn't just come to the north to prepare for the idea of conceiving a male heir. I think you're here to meet me. ”

Mary nodded: "I told Your Highness and my brother that Miss Isabel, as the daughter of a northern knight family, can live well in the north. So, as a duchess, I can also find peace in the north, without disturbance or intrusion from anyone. ”

"Well, that's a good reason. If I were you, I would say the same. ”

"Also, I do have some curiosity about your position as the acting custodian of your realm, and I would like to see how you oversee the affairs of your highness's realm. To be precise, I've got some interest in you. ”

"Ma'am, do you think it's strange that I, as a woman, have done what a man is supposed to do?

Mary turned around again and walked into the room, looking around the room: "That's right. And, I know that you have a good relationship with Lord Surrey's wife, and I would like to know for myself what kind of young woman Sarrif's partner is. ”

Isabel didn't express an opinion, but smiled: "Madam, you will know what kind of young woman I am in the coming days." ”

That evening, a grand dinner was held at Nottingham Castle to entertain the Lord's wife.